Yakushev finds Fame, almost 50 years later

Had Alexander Yakushev been introduced to North America earlier in his career, there’s no question he’d have been a fan favourite insists Igor Larionov.

Preparing to welcome his countryman to the Hockey Hall Of Fame, which admitted him a decade ago, Larionov knows ‘Big Yak’ would’ve been a big hit here.

“He had a passion for hockey, a scoring touch and a poetry about the way he played,” Larionov told Postmedia.

“He grew up playing for the peoples’ team, (Moscow) Spartak, at a time when a lot over there hated the Red Army Club.”

But Yakushev was among the many athletic casualties of the Cold War, sometimes playing in anonymity in his own country. He didn’t come to prominence until the old Soviet Union’s aggregation of stars, who were kept in a hockey hot-house, came to Canada in the 1972 Summit Series.

“It was my biggest wish to score a goal in the first game,” the now 71-year-old Yakushev told nhl.com of the night in Montreal when Canada’s collective smug attitude about its shinny superiority was dashed by a 7-3 loss.

MONTREAL, QC – SEPTEMBER 2, 1972: Goalie Ken Dryden #29 and Rod Seiling #16 of Canada guard the net while Alexander Yakushev #15 of the Soviet Union skates with the puck during Game 1 of the 1972 Summit Series on September 2, 1972 at the Montreal Forum in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Denis Brodeur /
NHLI via Getty Images

Yakushev assisted on the first goal by Evgeniy Zimin after the home side strutted to its 2-0 lead and then got his wish with 1:23 to play by beating Ken Dryden. By that stage of the game, many fans had departed the Forum and a national identity crisis ensued.

With seven goals and four assists, Yakushev would lead his team in points as the wondrous eight-game circus went across Canada and to its exciting conclusion in Moscow. Five of his seven goals came in the last three games of the series while many around him were losing steam. Though he was part of the ‘enemy’, fans appreciated his talents.

For Yakushev and company, those 28 days weren’t centred on proving the Soviet system’s merits as their handlers hoped, but more a chance to see the wider hockey world. They marvelled at the large portions of food, the thick steaks, modern hotels and TVs in their room, spending much of their time watching cartoons. Yakushev spent his $100 advance, meant to last three weeks, right away, mostly on new skates, an Elvis Presley album and some bubble gum.

Born in a Moscow suburb to factory workers, he took the usual path of playing soccer, then switched to hockey in his mid-teens in the Spartak program. Though the national team at the time disliked tall players whose mobility might be compromised, the 6-foot-3 Yakushev mixed size, speed and a quick release. There were 16 NHL general managers at the time taking note of his similarity to Phil Esposito and Jean Beliveau – and wondering if they could snare him.

“I don’t think there was a person involved in the NHL who didn’t drool every time they saw Yakushev,” said Cliff Fletcher, now an advisor with the Maple Leafs, but in ‘72, GM of the new Atlanta Flames. “He was so big and strong, a power forward who could really skate. He had the skill, he was really the whole package.

“I won’t say the player’s name, but we in Atlanta made overtures to the Russian Ice Hockey Federation about another guy there in the twilight of his career in the early ‘70s. We thought negotiations were progressing nicely, until there became a political issue between the U.S. and Russia that kiboshed the whole thing.

“But it was unfortunate that no one in North America had a chance to see Yakushev play an NHL game. He was just a great hockey player.”

Yakushev had to stay on his side of the Iron Curtain and by the time other Soviet stars were permitted to join the NHL in the late ‘80s, he was in his 40s. He did get a taste with an Austrian club team for a few years, but the elite, such as the Russian Five of Larionov’s day, were to enjoy the best of both worlds as Olympic and world champions, then win Stanley Cups and get a measure of financial reward.

“North Americans are very fortunate,” Larionov said. “In the last 30 years, they’ve seen the best Russians and the best players from around the world. Unfortunately, the ‘72 series was only a small portion of that. Russians brought a unique skill to the game and Yakushev could’ve been part of that at the very beginning. It’s nothing we can change now. We can just be very grateful that he’s being inducted at all and share the pride in him.”

Yakushev is still involved in oldtimer hockey in his homeland, in fact his team had just won a game when the June call came from Hall chairman Lanny McDonald.

“It’s a big honour to be in the International Ice Hockey Hall of Fame, but I realize very well that the Hall of Fame in Toronto is much older and that the greatest players in history are there,” Yakushev told nhl.com. “I was very surprised that I’d be elected 46 years after the Summit Series.”

Yakushev makes a point of staying in touch with some Canadian counterparts and emulates their charity work with his ‘72 fame as the backdrop.

“He is not one to sit around the house and do nothing,” Larionov laughed.

“The people over there are really starting to appreciate this honour for him. When the news happened he was going in the Hall, it was late June in the middle of Russia hosting the World Cup. Now, this weekend will be more of a special recognition for him.”

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. From left - Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Willie O’Ree, Martin St. Louis and Aleksander Yakushev. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. From left - Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Willie O’Ree, Martin St. Louis and Aleksander Yakushev. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. From left - Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Willie O’Ree, Martin St. Louis and Aleksander Yakushev. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees Jayna Hefford, Willie OÕRee and Martin St. Louis after receiving their rings during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. From left - Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Willie O’Ree, Martin St. Louis and Aleksander Yakushev. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. From left - Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Jayna Hefford, Willie O’Ree, Martin St. Louis and Aleksander Yakushev. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald (left), Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, shares a moment on the stage with 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Gary Bettman, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald (left), Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents the ring to 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Aleksander Yakushev, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents the ring to 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Martin St. Louis, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees Jayna Hefford and Willie OÕRee after receiving their rings during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees Jayna Hefford and Willie OÕRee after receiving their rings during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Willie OÕRee, walks past fellow 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame Inductees Gary Bettman and Martin Brodeur after receiving his ring during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents one of the 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame - Willie OÕRee - with his ring during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents one of the 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame - Willie OÕRee - with his ring during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents the ring to 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Jayna Hefford, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

The 2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame - Gary Bettman (left) and Martin Brodeur looks at their rings during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald, Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents the ring to 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Martin Brodeur, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Gary Bettman, 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee looks are the ring he was just presented during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

Lanny McDonald (left), Chairman of the Hockey Hall of Fame, presents the ring to 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame inductee Gary Bettman, during a presentation at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, Ont. on Friday November 9, 2018.. Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia

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2018 Inductees into the Hockey Hall of Fame

Scored a career-best 50 goals in 42 games for Spartak in 1968-69 and 339 for the team during his career … In the ‘72 series, compared his story to that of Paul Henderson’s as a player unknown in his own country until excelling on the big stage … Third player of the ‘72 team joining the Hall with Vladislav Tretiak and the late Valeri Kharlamov … Played 218 games international games and two Olympic golds in ‘72 and ‘76 and well as seven world champions.

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